Large dental expense I can’t afford. What to do?

General
1

I need about $4000-$5000 worth of dental work, and my employer doesn’t provide dental insurance.

I can’t cover this cost upfront.

My options include:

  1. CareCredit financing: Offers 0% APR for 12 months, but the interest rate skyrockets to over 30% if not paid off within that time frame. Monthly payments for financing $4000-$5000 could be quite high and possibly beyond my budget.

  2. Look for a 0% APR introductory offer on a credit card: I have two credit cards in good standing and a decent, though not excellent, credit score. Do you have any recommendations for credit cards that might offer this?

I would appreciate any advice on how to manage this situation, as the work needs to be completed in the next couple of months. As a single mom, I’m feeling quite stressed. What would you do in my situation?

Thank you!

2

I’ve been there; it’s tough. Even with insurance, you’d still pay a lot. Consider a second opinion, asking about urgency, or buying your own insurance.

3

She was going to fill cavities on teeth she was later going to pull

Not good for my blood pressure to read that

4

I worked in dental insurance for years and a lot of dentists bill for fraudulent work all the time.

5

I’ve been in the same spot. Get a second opinion, spread out procedures if possible, and consider insurance. You could max out the plan this year and restart in January if it’s urgent.

6

Get a second opinion. I was told I needed $4k in work for 5 cavities. A second dentist said I only had 2 and the rest were reversible with special toothpaste—cost me $200 instead.